Hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail in Germany: The Ultimate Guide

Last updated on September 17th, 2025 at 08:17 pm

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Imagine stepping out of a beautiful half-timbered house in Germany, a daypack on your back, and a dirt trail beneath your feet. Vineyards and forest views stretch out in front of you, speckled with quaint villages. This is the experience every morning of hiking Germany’s Palatinate Wine Trail. You will feel so accomplished when you arrive in the next town and raise your wine glass to say prost to a successful day of hiking!

Are you curious about hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail in Germany? If you are interested in village-to-village hikes in Europe or German wine and cuisine, this may be the next great adventure for you! Keep reading for the perfect Palatinate Wine Route 12-day itinerary and everything you need to know to have a successful trip. 

What is the Palatinate Wine Route? 

The 85-mile (137 km) route goes from Bockenheim, in southwestern Germany, to Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the French border. The Palatinate Wine Route, or Pfälzer Weinstraße, takes you through German wine towns, fields of vineyards, and the Palatinate (Pfälzer) Forest. It is the oldest wine trail in Germany, created in 1935 by the Nazis, in order to drum up tourism. There are over 5,000 vineyards along the route. 

There are a couple of different options for completing the route: hiking, biking, and driving. This guide focuses on hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail, but could be adapted for the other modes of transportation. Based on my experience, trail and route are used interchangeably and generally refer to the same thing. 

What is the Palatinate Wine Trail?

The Palatinate Wine Trail, or Pfälzer Weinsteig, is a village-to-village hike along the wine route, which provides a scenic way to travel between the wine villages. The 107-mile (172 km) trail runs parallel to the wine route from Bockenheim to Schweigen-Rechtenbach on the French border.

When hiking the wine trail, you typically have your luggage transferred to a hotel for you while you hike to each town, so you don’t have to worry about carrying it. You also probably won’t have a car since you’ll be hiking in between towns. 

What kind of wine can I try along the wine route? 

All kinds! This area of Germany is most famous for rieslings but it is also the biggest producer of red wines in Germany. While rieslings sometimes get a reputation for being too sweet, there were many dry or semi-dry examples to try along the Palatinate Wine Route. We even tried a red riesling at one winery! So if you don’t love rieslings, especially in the US, then don’t write off this trip because there will likely be some wines you enjoy. 

What kinds of food will I eat along the wine route? 

The Palatinate region is known for its delicious German cuisine. Along the Palatinate Wine Route, you will taste traditional German dishes such as saumagen (pork cooked in a cow’s stomach), leberknodel (liver dumplings), wurst (sausage), saurekraut, flammkuchen (a type of German flatbread or pizza), schnitzel, and more! As well as traditional German food, the Palatinate Wine Route is also home to several Michelin-star restaurants. This is the perfect destination for foodies!

What will I see along the Palatinate Wine Route? 

The Palatinate Wine Route takes you through picturesque villages, surrounded by rolling hills etched with vineyards, through mossy forest trails, past numerous castles and forts, over multiple breathtaking viewpoints, and by remains from World War II. There is no shortage of things to see on this trail!

Do I have to hike the Palatinate Wine route? 

No! You can easily rent a car and drive the wine route too. This will afford you much more time in each town you visit. 

You can also take public transportation between the towns in this itinerary. We had to do this for several days because Luke got sick during our trip and didn’t feel up to hiking for a few days, and the weather was rainy at times. We easily took both trains and buses between towns using Google Maps.

Another option if you want to do some but not all of the hiking is to complete day hikes. All the towns are accessible by the Palatinate Wine Route, which you can do in small sections, as well as other trails. You can adjust this trip to be anything you want!

Luggage Transfer

I recommend arranging a luggage transfer or sherpa service while hiking the Palatinate Wine Route. This way, you don’t have to carry all your things with you on the trail. You can hike with a daypack, and when you arrive at your hotel, someone has already transferred your suitcase from the previous hotel. 

We used Gepäckservice Pfalz luggage transfer service run by Claus. He was incredibly kind and provided us with lots of information on the Palatinate Wine Route, helped us book a hotel in Dernbach when we were having trouble finding one, and drove us to Heidelberg when we were done hiking. He hiked the Palatinate Wine Route when he was younger, and now he likes to help others do the same.  

How long does it take to hike the Palatinate Wine Trail?

The full Palatinate Wine Trail is 107 miles or 172 km. Most people complete the full route in 11 stages or sections, ranging from 8 to 12 miles per day. 

You could break this up to be less mileage if you like, since the towns you stop in are accessible by public transportation. We didn’t do the full hike and took public transportation for several days. 

You can also build in rest days, if you want so you can enjoy some of the towns that you visit along the way. We spent a day in Bad Dürkheim, getting a spa treatment and exploring. 

Best Time of Year to Hike the Palatinate Wine Route

The best time of year to hike the Palatinate Wine Route is April through October, when the weather is milder. Winter is colder and wineries might have seasonal closures. Summer can be hot in this area, though, so I would aim for the shoulder seasons.

Spring is a nice time to visit because the pink almond flowers bloom in this area; however, the vines won’t have grapes on them yet. 

If you want to see grapes on the vines, you should plan your trip for early September. Harvest season is usually late September or October, so the grapes will be grown and you might witness harvesting. Fall is also the best time to try the young wine, federweisser or neuer wein, that many vineyards will produce alongside the traditional savory onion tart, Zwiebelkuchen. 

We went in September. Besides a few rainy days, it was perfect! The grapes on the vine were plump and beautiful and we got to try neuer wein and zwiebelkuchen!

Read More: The Perfect 2-Weeks in Spain

Palatinate Wine Route Itinerary Overview

Below is the itinerary that we originally planned; however, we deviated from this slightly because we couldn’t find anywhere to stay in Neuleiningen. Instead of spending the second night in Neuleiningen, we hiked to Grünstadt and then took the train from there to Bad Durkheim. Then we had a down day in Bad Durkheim because it was Luke’s birthday. 

Day 0: Bockenheim an der Weinstraße

Day 1: Neuleiningen

Day 2: Bad Durkheim

Day 3: Deidesheim

Day 4: Neustadt an der Weinstraße

Day 5: St. Martin

Day 6: Burrweiler

Day 7: Dernbach

Day 8: Annweiler am Trifels

Day 9: Klingenmünster

Day 10: Bad Bergzabern

Day 11: Schweigen-Rechtenbach

How to get to Bockenheim an der Weinstraße 

Bockenheim an der Weinstraße, usually just referred to as Bockenheim (although watch out because there are two Bockenheims in Germany) is about an hour southwest, or 101 km, of Frankfurt by car. 

I don’t recommend renting a car if you are hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail, but if you plan to drive the route, driving is the easiest way to get to Bockenheim from Frankfurt. 

If you are hiking, I recommend taking trains, buses, or getting a driver to take you to Bockenheim, although this last option will be expensive. You can book a private transfer here.

We took the train but experienced some difficulties. In most of our travels in Europe, many of which have been by train, we usually find train travel straightforward. Germany, or at least this particular route in Germany, was confusing. 

The ticket we purchased at the station had 4 or 5 transfers. I recommend booking your train itinerary online through Omio or directly through DB (you’ll need to translate the webpage to English). Make sure you book the least amount of transfers for the most ease. 

Also, I always recommend looking at the route on Google Maps and following along as you are going because Google is good about including all the information you need, whereas our ticket only had the train’s final destination, which was confusing. 

It will take a little longer to arrive in Bockenheim via train because there are transfers involved. The cost of a train ticket from Frankfurt to Bockenheim is about $20 to $45 USD per person, depending on which route you book. 

Palatinate Wine Route Itinerary

Day 0: Arrive in Bockenheim an der Weinstraße

Arrive in Bockenheim and find your accommodation. Note that most restaurants close around 1:30 or 2 PM and then reopen for dinner. We didn’t eat before arrival so I was starving and had to survive on my remaining airplane snacks. 

I recommend doing a tasting at a winery if you have time. Our accommodation included a tasting, which was excellent, but I was so jet-lagged I had to take a nap before. The wine tasting at Weingut Lauermann & Weyer allowed us to try a few white wines, two rosés, and a few reds. The owner kindly translated everything into English, as we were the only English speakers staying there. 

Where to Eat in Bockenheim

Our host made a reservation for us at one of the few open restaurants in town, Cafe Ideal. The restaurant has a large patio that overlooks a pond dotted with lily pads. 

We tried the Pfälzer plate, which included a bratwurst, leberknodel (liver dumpling), Saumagen, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and the Vienna schnitzel with fries. The Pfälzer plate included many of the regional foods that we were looking forward to trying and came recommended by our host. We enjoyed everything, even the leberknodel, which was a little outside of our comfort zone. It was more like what we would call a meatball in the US, spiced with cloves and other warming spices. The bratwurst was our least favorite because the meat was finely ground. The Vienna schnitzel was deliciously browned but not too dry. 

Where to Stay in Bockenheim

In Bockenheim, we stayed in a wine barrel on a winery, Weingut Lauermann & Weyer and I highly recommend it as a unique stay! The booking included a bottle of secco (bubbly German wine), a wine of our choice from the wine cooler, an afternoon wine tasting the day we arrived, and a lovely breakfast in the morning. The owners were friendly, even though only one spoke English. He translated everything in the wine tasting for us even though all the other guests spoke German. 

There are five wine barrels available for booking. They side-by-side in a courtyard area with a lovely garden, so you will be saying near other wine enthusiasts if there are other barrels booked. It was cool to be able to talk to some of the other travelers, all of them Germans exploring their own country! 

The barrels are clean and comfortable, considering their size! Inside the barrel is a bed, two benches, plenty of storage, three windows, and plugs to charge your electronics. There is no Wi-Fi or AC. There are several communal private bathrooms for all the guests. They are extremely clean and the shower water pressure is good. 

Day 1: Bockenheim to Neuleiningen

This is your first day of hiking the Palatinate Wine Route! This trail will take you through many vineyards and rolling hills with beautiful views of villages in the distance. Near the beginning of the trail, there is a grape press and a barrel.

Next, you will pass a trullo, a small stone hut that protected the vineyard workers from sun and rain in the past. 

It was an enchanting start to our trip, as the weather was beautiful. We caught whiffs of the dried grapes and fermentation as we walked. Since this section is mostly vineyards, there are few trees along the trail and lots of sun exposure.

There is a hiker’s hut, Weinwanderhütte Asselheim, a restaurant that caters to hikers and wine enthusiasts traveling the wine route, just outside Asselheim. This is a great place to stop for lunch if they are open. Their hours are limited, however, and they are only open Saturday and Sunday. 

We stopped in Grünstadt, a few miles short of Neuleiningen, to take the train to Bad Durkheim. Grünstadt is a great place to stop for a drink, snack, or bathroom break if you need, although it does take you a little way off the trail. Additionally, you could probably stay here for the night instead if you can’t find anywhere to stay in Neuleiningen. 

If you continue to Neuleiningen, you can check out Neuleiningen Castle, the first of many castles along this route. It is mostly in ruins at this time, but there is a courtyard, a tower, and a viewpoint that you can explore. 

Where to Stay in Neuleiningen:

I recommend staying at Landgasthaus Zum Engel in Neuleiningen. It is a highly rated hotel, located on a hill with a great view. Reviews say it is an authentic German country inn that is comfortable. Another option is Hotel Zum Burggraf. 

We didn’t stay in Neuleiningen because everything was booked, so make sure you book in advance. 

Day 2: Neuleiningen to Bad Dürkheim

The second day of hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail takes you into the Palatinate forest. From Neuleiningen,  you quickly come across the ruins of Battenberg Castle. There is a lovely courtyard area and a restaurant, perfect for resting if you need. The castle offers great views of the area. 

After visiting the castle, the trail continues into the forest. There is another viewpoint from the forest at about 4.5 miles. 

You can take a break at Forsthaus Lindemannsruhe, a hiker’s hut that is open 11 AM to 5:30 PM every day except Monday and Tuesday. They serve traditional German food, beer, and wine local to the region. 

Continuing along the trail, you will see Bismarck Tower, which has stood for 100 years. There are a few more viewpoints to enjoy before you reach Bad Durkheim, your destination for the day!

Where to Eat and Drink in Bad Durkheim

Bad Durkheim is a substantial-sized spa town with more food and drink options than Bockenheim, which was a relief. They even have a few Michelin-rated restaurants in the area, including Restaurant Intense, which is only five minutes outside of Bad Durkheim by car. 

We had one of our favorite meals on this trip at Restaurant Stadtblick, which serves regional cuisine. The schnitzel was our favorite, extremely crispy even when covered in a creamy mushroom sauce, and spaetzle, which is similar to pasta. I ordered the goulash, another traditional German dish, which also came with spaetzle. 

We also tried wine schorles at Restaurant Stadtblick – essentially a wine spritzer typically made with either white or rosé wine and sparkling water. It is a very popular drink in this area of Germany, especially in summer. 

Haveli serves Indian food if you want something other than German food, because this itinerary features a lot of regional cuisine for the next couple of stops.

Weinbar Schöne Anna is a great place to stop for a nightcap if you are feeling up for it. The wine bar is cozy, with warm string lights, decorative wine bottles, and viney plants adorning the windows.

Where to Stay in Bad Durkheim

We splurged a little on the hotel in Bad Dürkheim because we planned to spend an extra day celebrating Luke’s birthday and enjoying the spa services. We stayed at the Gartenhotel Heusser and loved it. 

The room was comfortable, with a big, beautiful balcony overlooking the mountains, blackout curtains, AC, and a clean bathroom with a shower and a tub. They also left us gummy bears on our pillow, which won me over quickly!

The hotel provides a great breakfast buffet, with hot food options such as scrambled eggs, French toast, bacon, and sausage, as well as a cold food bar with cheeses, cured meats, bread, jam, yogurt, and fruit. 

Spa facilities are available for an additional fee with a reservation. There is a pleasant indoor pool and a Japanese garden in the courtyard. 

Book your stay at Gartenhotel Heusser here!

Day 3: Bad Durkheim to Deidesheim 

Leaving Bad Durkheim, you will first encounter the last bit of the Rhine Valley before you start climbing the Haardt mountains into the Palatinate Forest. 

One of the first things you will encounter is a flag tower overlooking vineyards, after one mile of hiking.  About five miles in, you will descend to Wachenheim Castle, surrounded by a field of vines. You can climb the tower, explore the ruins, and get a bite to eat at the castle tavern. The castle tavern is open 11 AM to 8 PM most days except Monday and Tuesday during high season. 

Continuing this stage of the hike, the trail continues into the forest. You will reach your highest elevation at about 6 miles. Then the trail descends into Deidesheim and the Rhine Valley. 

We skipped this section of the hike because Luke was sick, but it was easy to get to Deidesheim via train. 

Where to Eat in Deidesheim

I highly recommend Zum Schwanen, which is in the center of town. They have quite a few tables, so if you don’t have a reservation, this is a good place to try. We ate in the courtyard with grapevines decorating the walls and dangling over the tables. The food and drinks were great.

We ordered some neuer wein (young wine) at Zum Schwanen, a drink that you should try if you visit around harvest season. Young wine is made from newly harvested grapes that are still fermenting, so the alcohol content varies considerably. It is sweet, strong, and a little tart with a certain funkiness. We enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t drink it all the time. 

As a starter at Zum Schwanen, we tried the goat cheese, which was an entire wheel of cheese, topped with honey and served with bread and salad. It was phenomenal. We also tried flammkuchen, a German-style thin flatbread similar to pizza, traditionally topped with cheese, speck (or ham), and spring onion, although you will see other toppings as well. 

Another restaurant to try in Deidesheim is Weinstube Kirchenstübl. It is a bit more upscale and better for dinner, in my opinion. It is best to have a reservation. The restaurant was packed when we arrived without a reservation and the owners very kindly agreed to seat us at a four-top table with another couple. It looks like a house that has been converted to a restaurant, with separate rooms.

The food was great. I ordered the rump steak, which came with fried potatoes and salad. Both the steak and potatoes were cooked perfectly. The only thing we didn’t enjoy was the salad, which was swimming in dressing. Luke tried the spinach dumplings, made with potatoes, cheese, and spinach. They were deliciously rich. 

Where to Stay in Deidesheim

We had a pleasant stay at Hotel & Café Ritter von Böhl, in the center of town. It is within walking distance of the train station. The room was simple but comfortable and when we had trouble turning the shower knob, someone came to help quickly. The rooms have Wi-Fi and blackout curtains but no AC. We had a great view of the church in the courtyard of the hotel. 

Breakfast was included. It was a decent selection although not the best quality. The bells from the church were a little loud in the morning but I imagine you can hear them from most of the hotels in Deidesheim since it is a small town. We found it charming!

Day 4: Deidesheim to Neustadt an der Weinstraße

The fourth section of the Palatinate Wine Trail is one of the longest. This trail takes you through vineyards, where there is some information on wine growing. You will slowly ascend while walking along the Mußbach River through a wooded valley. 

At about 5.5 miles, you will start your main ascent, climbing to the maximum elevation for the day to reach a viewpoint of the Palatinate forest and Hambach Castle in the distance. 

About a mile beyond that, you will reach Wolfsburg castle ruins, which date back to at least 1269. From there, you will continue your descent until you reach the city of Neustadt. 

Neustadt is one of the larger cities along the wine route, with a fairly big old town to explore as well as many shops. If you are in need of any supplies or a different cuisine, this is the place to get it!

Things to do in Neustadt

• Visit Hambach Castle for great views of Neustadt and visit the museum explaining the importance of Hambach Castle in Germany’s democracy. 
• Stroll down Metzgergasse, a historic street in Neustadt, where the butcher’s guild used to live. Metzgergasse 3 is one of the most beautiful half-timbered houses in the area. With its core dating back to 1384, the house was considered to be the oldest half-timbered house in the Palatinate, but other older houses have since been discovered in Neustadt’s old town. 
• Shop along the Hauptstraße. There are many stores along this street, so if there is anything you need for the rest of the journey, this might be a good place to find it. 
• Hike up to Deidesheimer-Tempel for beautiful views of vineyards, forested mountains, and Neustadt.
• Get a drink at La Boutique, a lovely cocktail bar in the historic center.
• Visit the Elwedritsche-Brunnen, a fountain featuring a mythical chicken-like creature famous in this region called the “Elwedritsche”. 
• Get coffee and a FranzBrötchen at Coffee at La Macchina per caffè and enjoy them outside, looking at the square. 

Where to Eat in Neustadt

For breakfast, head to La Macchina per Caffè. The coffee here is so good that we returned the next day too. I also tried FranzBrötchen, a cinnamon and butter pastry similar to a croissant. It was so good, it might be my new favorite pastry. This cafe is right in the Marktplatz square, so you can sit and enjoy your coffee while people-watching and admiring the beautiful German architecture. 

Neustadt is a great place to try different cuisines if you need a break from German food, so we had pasta at Der Nudelmacher. It was delicious. They hand-make their pasta, and you can watch the chef cooking up pasta dishes through a window to the kitchen. We tried the penne with pesto and cheese and the bolognese. Both were good, but the penne was a little overcooked. 

COMMAMI was pretty good as well if you are craving sushi. We tried the cucumber maki, the Alaskan roll, and the gyoza, which were very crispy. The rolls were a little expensive, but they hit the spot. I also tried the Commami curry, which had lots of vegetables, including pumpkin, and chicken served with rice. 

Where to Stay in Neustadt

Steinhäuser Hof is in the historic center, near the Marktplatz. It is a beautiful boutique hotel with half-timber frames painted pink and an inner courtyard. It is quite charming. 

The staff was friendly and spoke English. The rooms are simple but comfortable, with curtains, a sitting area, private bathrooms with rain shower heads, and free Wi-Fi. There is no AC, as is usual in Germany. 

They offer breakfast for a fee of $12, but we opted out in order to return to La Macchina per Caffè. 

Day 5: Neustadt an der Weinstraße to St. Martin

Day six is one of the hardest days with the most elevation gain. Unfortunately, Luke was still not feeling well, and the weather wasn’t great, so we decided to take the bus to St. Martin after spending a couple of hours at Hambach Castle. 

If you are hiking the wine route, you immediately climb out of Neustadt and back into the Palatinate Forest. The first stop is a viewpoint about two miles along the trail. Shortly after that, the trail levels out, and then you descend to Hambach Castle around 5 miles. 

The upper floor of Hambach Castle is an exhibition on the Hambach Festival, a gathering that took place at the castle in 1832 to promote democracy. The museum offers an audioguide in English, but none of the signs are in English. The entrance fee is €6.50 for an adult. The exhibit is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM from April to October. 

The castle grounds and the exhibition on the upper floor are interesting; however, the rest of the castle rooms seem to be used as event space, so there wasn’t much else to see. There is also a restaurant and bathrooms at the castle. 

From Hambach Castle, you continue climbing until you reach the highest elevation of this section, where you can take a break at Kalmithaus, a hiker’s hut with food and beverages. They are open on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 11 AM to 5 PM; however, please confirm their current operating hours on their website. 

From there, you descend into St. Martin, a cute, small town with plenty of wineries to enjoy!

Where to Eat in St. Martin

Saint Martin is a small town, so I recommend making reservations for dinner. There are only a few restaurants in town; most are not open every day, and they have limited hours for meals, usually with a break between lunch and dinner service. 

Weinstube Altes Rathaus is a great place to grab traditional German food in Saint Martin. They offer German wine and beer, as well as schnitzel, Palatinate specialities, and Palatinate specialities with deer and wild boar. 

We ordered different types of schnitzel. Mine came with crème fraîche, bacon, cheese, chives, and a side of fries. It was delicious but extremely rich. Luke tried the schnitzel with peppercorn sauce. 

We also tried Restaurant Das Barrique Gewölbe, which was enjoyable and had a good mix of international and Palatinate cuisine, but I didn’t find the food to be as good as Weinstube Altes Rathaus. The waiter was friendly. The restaurant had beautiful exposed brick and rounded ceilings, making it feel very European. I tried the pumpkin soup to start, followed by the wild bratwurst with mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut made with riesling. Restaurant Das Barrique Gewölbe only takes cash. 

We also discovered a flammkuchen hut in St. Martin that was a highlight for us, although it isn’t on Google Maps. It was across the street from Restaurant Barrique Gewölbe, so if you happen to see it, let me know! This is not a full restaurant, but they serve flammkuchen and other small snacks, like onion tart, wine, and beer. It is cash only! This is where we finally had onion tart and neuer wein together, the way it is meant to be! The savory onion tart was the perfect complement to the sweet, young wine. 

Where to Stay in St. Martin

Hotel Dalberg is an 850-year-old hotel on the main street. Rooms feature a quaint view of the half-timbered buildings across the street, decorated with vines. The rooms were simple, comfortable, and seemed more updated in person than online. A German-style breakfast of cold meats, cheese, fruit, yogurt, and bread is included. 

Day 6: St. Martin to Burrweiler

On the seventh day of this Palatinate Wine Route itinerary, you hike out of Saint Martin, leaving behind vineyards for forest trails. The trail hugs the Rhine plain for most of this section. Around three miles, you will pass a monument to the Franco-Prussian War, now called the “Peace Monument.”

Next, you approach the summer villa of Ludwig I of Bavaria, completed in 1852 in the Italian style. Inside the castle, you can view a collection of impressionist paintings and rotating exhibits. The castle is currently undergoing renovations, but is expected to reopen on August 29, 2025. Check their website for more information.

There is a hiker’s hut nearby, Waldgaststätte Rietaniahütte, which is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 AM to 6 PM.

At about 10 miles, another hiker’s hut, St. Anna Hütte. It is open Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM between February and November. There are limited options for dinner in Burrweiler, so it isn’t a bad idea to get a meal at one of the hikers’ huts. 

Nearby, St. Anna Kapelle offers great views of Burrweiler, the final destination for today’s hike.

Where to Eat in Burrweiler

Burrweiler is a small town with limited options for restaurants. Additionally, restaurants are not open every day of the week. We were there on a Thursday, and there was only one restaurant open, Ritterhof zur Rose. It ended up being a fabulous meal. Ritterhof zur Rose is a fine dining restaurant, so it is not the most affordable. They are closed on Tuesday and Wednesday. 

I had the five-course “To the Rose” set menu for €95. Luke had the four-course set menu called “Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve” for €76. The Icelandic haddock and roasted octopus with peperonata, served in beurre blanc, was one of the highlights of the meal. The sauce was flavorful, and the flavors blended well. 

The staff were extremely kind and the service was great. The restaurant is on the second floor with lots of windows overlooking the green rolling hills covered in vineyards. It ended up being a memorable aspect of our time in Burrweiler. 

The other option in Burrweiler is Winzergaststätte Grafen von der Leyen, which is closed on Thursday and Friday. 

Where to Stay in Burrweiler

In Burrweiler, we stayed at Sankt Annagut, a boutique hotel and winery on a hill above the village. It is not in town, but it is directly on the Palatinate Wine Route.

The hotel is lovely. The rooms are comfortable with a seating area, a comfortable bed, and a huge bathroom and shower, which is uncommon in Europe. 

The hotel has a stylish wine bar, which becomes self-service when the staff leaves around 6 PM. Then, you simply write down what you had, and they add it to your tab. 

The wine bar is stocked with a variety of wines, both from the vineyard and other wineries. They also offer some light food such as flammkuchen and red wine cake. We tried a flammkuchen with gorgonzola, walnuts, and fresh figs from their garden, it was delicious and beautiful!

The staff was also very friendly. One of them tracked down a deck of cards for us (with German suits) because we forgot ours. We spent most of the day playing cards and drinking wine because it was pouring rain outside. 

Breakfast is included at Sankt Annagut, and it was one of the better breakfasts on the trip, a full smorgasbord. 

Day 7: Burrweiler to Dernbach

Finally, we were back on the trail! Luke recovered from his sickness, and the rain finally let up, so we felt up to hiking this section of the Palatinate Wine Trail. 

If you stay at Sankt Annagut, you cut off about a mile of the uphill portion from Burrweiler (yay!). You begin climbing into the forest immediately, passing St. Anna Kapelle and the nearby hiker’s hut again.

There are several hikers’ huts coming up on this section of the trail. About 2.40 miles along the wine route, you pass Trifelsblick Hut, which is supposedly open on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays; however, it was closed when we passed on a Saturday during their open hours. For up-to-date information, check out their website. 

We were extremely disappointed that the hiker’s hut wasn’t open because we were getting hungry, and I wanted to use the bathroom. However, we continued on, hoping another hut would be open ahead of us. 

Continuing through this stretch of the Palatinate Wine Route, you pass a few of these wood carvings. I particularly liked this one of a man drinking a wine schorle out of a dubbeglas, the typical glass for serving a wine schorle. 

About 5 miles into the day’s mileage, there is another hiker’s hut called Ramberger Waldhaus. We almost missed it – we passed it originally because it is not visible from the trail, but we doubled back when we realized on the Komoot navigation. I was about to break out my hiking snacks, but I enjoyed the warm meal and chair much more!

The hut was packed inside because it was lightly raining. We ordered the schnitzel and meatball dishes, both of which came with fries, as well as two pints of Hefeweizen. Then we followed it up with a slice of cheesecake. Hiking is hard work, after all!

Ramberger Waldhaus is open Wednesday to Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. 

After devouring our food and using the restroom, we were back on the trail. Luckily, the rain had stopped. 

There is a little bit of a climb from the hiker’s hut, then you reach 5-Burgenblick, less than a mile away. 5-Burgenblick, or five castle view, is accurately named. Some of the castles are quite far away and hard to spot, so it took us a minute to locate them all. There is also a little picnic table here if you don’t feel like visiting the hiker’s hut. 

Shortly after this, you approach Neuscharfeneck Castle. It is primarily in ruins, but it looked like it was being restored, so hopefully that will change in the future. 

Around 7 miles, there is an additional loop that takes you to the Orensfels viewpoint. It is about two miles to complete the loop and is easy to skip if you are short on time. We decided to skip this, cutting two miles off our hike for the day. This is also where the final hiker’s hut, Landau Hut, is located. It wasn’t open when we passed, but the hut is open Saturday and Sunday, 11 AM to 5 PM. 

The Landau Hut is about 1 mile from Dernbach, so you will descend through the forest, getting lovely sneak peeks of the colorful town. 

We stopped for a drink at Dernbacher Haus, a restaurant just above the town, and then headed for our hotel. 

Where to Eat in Dernbach

Dernbach is a small town, and restaurants are limited. Our guest house, Gaststätte Pension Hahn, also had a restaurant, which is where we ended up eating because nothing else was open. 

Regardless, the food was great and seemed to be completely homemade, as we had to wait a little, and we were the only people for a while. Two or three other tables eventually joined us. 

We both ordered schnitzel again (what can I say, we are obsessed), one regular and one pork schnitzel with a chanterelle mushroom cream sauce, which was surprisingly served with croquettes! This was probably our second-favorite schnitzel on the trip, if you are keeping track!

There is one other guest house in town, Zum Belzenikel, that seems to have a restaurant too, but their hours aren’t posted. 

Dernbacher Haus is another good option for where to eat in Dernbach, but it involves walking out of the town a little, and they close at 7:30 PM most days. The views of the idyllic town are worth it, though!

Where to Stay in Dernbach

We had trouble finding somewhere to stay in Dernbach because there weren’t many options online except this apartment, which looked okay, but we needed someone to be able to receive our bags while we were hiking. We tried to call a few times, but we were never able to get through. Luckily, Claus, who was transferring our luggage from town to town, called Gaststätte Pension Hahn and made us a reservation. 

I recommend Gaststätte Pension Hahn, which is right on the main street of Dernbach. Breakfast is included, which is great because there isn’t anywhere else to get breakfast, and dinner was lovely. The room was large and comfortable, with a separate sitting room and effective blinds. 

This hotel only takes cash, and there is no ATM in town. We did not realize this before arriving, so we didn’t go to the ATM before reaching Dernbach, and we didn’t have enough cash. We realized this when talking to the host, who didn’t speak English at all, so we had to use Google Translate. Just one of those inevitable travel fails. 

She told us there was an ATM in Albersweiler, a 30-minute bus ride from Dernbach, which has since closed. Luke very kindly offered to take the bus in the morning to get cash from the ATM so we could pay for the room. By that time, after paying for dinner, we only had enough cash for one of us to take the bus there and back… 

Anyway, learn from our mistakes and make sure you have cash in this part of Germany, and get enough cash at the ATM in Sankt Martin to get you through Burrweiler and Dernbach. 

Day 8: Dernbach to Annweiler am Trifels 

We decided to skip this leg of the hike in order to figure out the ATM situation. If you hike to Annweiler am Trifels, the trail starts out in a forested area that leads to a valley, where St. Bernhard’s catholic monastery is located. This red sandstone church is open from 8 AM to 6 PM daily.

The trail continues to an art installation just outside of Gräfenhausen, featuring ancient gilded vines and the red sandstone common to this area. This is also a viewpoint, 3-Burgenblick (3 castle view), where you can see the castles Trifels, Anebos, and Münz in the distance.

You will reach Krappenfels, the final viewpoint, at about 7 miles after a bit of a climb. From there, it is a little more than a mile before you arrive in the town of Annweiler!

Where to Eat in Annweiler

For local cuisine, check out Zum Goldenen Löwen. It is a pretty small place, so you may need a reservation for dinner. I tried the cheese spätzle with fried onions, which was delicious and creamy, kind of like mac and cheese. It was one of the first times I had seen spätzle on the menu as a main instead of a side. To round it out, I ordered a side salad. 

Luke ordered the Metaxaschnitzel, which was pork schnitzel with Metaxa sauce and cheese gratin. It was good but a little too rich. It came with fries and a salad. 

L’Antica Ruote is a good Italian restaurant that was in our hotel. We tried the margherita pizza, which didn’t have basil and therefore we considered it to be a cheese pizza, but it had a nice, thin crust. The tortelloni stuffed with porcini mushrooms and sage butter was delicious, but also a bit rich. The tiramisu was pretty authentic, although it could have used a little more espresso. 

Where to Stay in Annweiler

We stayed at Zum Alten Wasserrad, which was in the center of town. It was pretty good, although we booked a room on the third floor (or what an American would consider the fourth floor) and had to lug our suitcases upstairs ourselves because there was no elevator. Our room was also very small because it was on the last floor and the ceiling was slanted. The view from the slanted window was beautiful, though!

Zum Alten Wasserrad doesn’t have AC, a standard for most European stays, but they offer Wi-Fi. The staff were friendly, so overall, I would recommend it. 

Day 9: Annweiler am Trifels to Klingenmünster

Castles are the theme for stage 9 of the Palatinate Wine Trail because this trail will take you past three to four castles or fortifications along the way!

The first section of the hike takes you to Trifels Castle, which is on a hill above Annweiler, making it a steep climb out of the village. It was a beautiful, sunny day for hiking out of Annweiler am Trifels, but the air was crisp in the shade of the Palatinate forest. 

You can visit Trifels Castle on your way, which is what we did. The castle is €6 per person to enter. There are several beautiful viewpoints in and around the castle, but the castle itself is sparsely decorated. You can view replicas of the crown jewels that were stored here in the past. The structure is well-maintained and has probably been restored over the years. There are a few information signs in the castle, but they are all in German. There is a bathroom at the castle as well as opportunities to purchase drinks and snacks. They increased the price since our visit, and I don’t think it is worth €6 to visit, so you could skip this stop. 

After the castle, the trail descends into the forest, where there are huge layered rocks, called Jungturm and Münzfels, that appear to be folded in on themselves. These are popular climbing rocks, and I can see why!

Continuing along the trail, the Neukastel Castle Ruins Viewpoint is at about 4.4 miles. It is a difficult climb to get there but it is worth it. This was one of my favorite viewpoints, where you can see crisscrossing vineyards and farmland speckled with villages. This part of the trail has many beautiful, mossy trees.

The wine trail continues through mossy forest until you reach yet another castle, the Madenburg Castle. It also sits on a hill, requiring another climb to reach. However, once you reach it, there is a tavern where you can stop for a break. There is no fee to enter this castle, and there are bathrooms available. Madenburg Castle offers another great view. People like to paraglide here, so if you are lucky, you can witness that! Open hours are Wednesday through Sunday. 

After Madenburg Castle, you descend once again into the mossy forest. The many felled trees in this section make for an interesting hike. Several mountain bikers and hikers passed us on this trail. It was Sunday, so everyone was out enjoying nature!

You will cross a road and then hug the forest as you walk through the outskirts of a village.

The final castle you can visit is Landeck Castle just outside of Klingmünster. It is open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM except Tuesdays. This castle seems to be similar to the others in that it is a climb up to the fortress, which looks over the village, and there is a castle tavern. We didn’t have enough time to visit since it was nearing the end of our check-in time at the hotel. 

Where to Eat in Klingenmünster?

We ate at Weinhof und Weinstube Pfeffer in Klingenmünster. This was the first place we ordered a red wine schorle, immediately discovering that it is less popular for a reason. Luke ordered the daily special, which was a turkey breast with cream sauce, pumpkin, and fries. I ordered the Wiener Schnitzel with fries and salad. It was crispy with puffed breading, the traditional way to prepare schnitzel. 

After our meal, we had dessert, which was a delicious mascarpone layered with almond cookies and berries. It was reminiscent of tiramisu but with fruit instead. We also tried some housemade schnapps, one butterscotch and one peach. They were both very sweet, but it made a good digestif. 

Where to stay in Klingenmünster?

Stiftsgut Keysermühle is a decent place to stay in Klingenmünster. It is central, with clean rooms and an acceptable breakfast (although we were so over the German breakfast at this point). There is no AC or blackout curtains in the room. It was not our favorite stay of the trip, but not bad.

We had a little difficulty with check-in. Since we made a few stops while hiking, we arrived close to, but not past, the end of check-in time. The door was locked, and we could see no one was at the front desk. We called several times before they picked up and told us the code for the key to get inside. It was a stressful moment, but it turned out okay. 

Day 10: Klingenmünster to Bad Bergzabern

When we woke up on the 11th day of hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail, it was gloomy and rainy again. We were in a hurry to get to the Südpfalz Therme in Bad Bergzabern, so we skipped the hike. While waiting for the bus, Claus, who was transferring our luggage from village to village, drove by us and kindly pulled over to offer us a ride. 

This is the shortest day of hiking the Palatinate Wine Trail. On the stage from Klingenmünster to Bad Bergzabern, you will pass through vineyards on your way to the town of Gleiszellen-Gleishorbach. After admiring the picturesque half-timbered houses, the trail snakes through the forest for a little bit and then follows a river to another German town, Pleisweiler-Oberhofen. The vineyard trail leads you to your destination, Bad Bergzabern, where you will immediately pass the Südpfalz Therme, which is the perfect spot for a post-hike soak.

What to Eat in Bad Bergzabern?

Bad Bergzabern is a slightly larger town, so there are more options for restaurants and cuisine! We ate at a restaurant that I didn’t enjoy very much, and it closed not long after our visit. For traditional cuisine and a cozy atmosphere, check out Weinstube Reblaus. For something different, Einfach Lecker is highly rated and has a wide variety of cuisines. 

If you want to check out a German dive bar and potentially chat with some locals, head to Holzmichel Inh. Melinda Mikolosi. We had an enjoyable chat with a few people in this bar while drinking a beer and playing cards. Smoking is allowed inside this bar, though, so it might not be for everyone. 

Where to Stay in Bad Bergzabern?

We stayed at Schlosshotel Bergzaberner Hof, a lovely hotel in the center of town. The Double Room we booked had a large shared rooftop terrace (which I never would have guessed from the booking page). The room and bathroom are clean and spacious. The large bathtub is separate from the shower, which has a rain shower head and a removable shower wand with multiple settings. They also offer AC at this hotel from May through September. 

Breakfast was included, and it was a considerable step up from our previous location, even though many of the same options were available. They had a few different items that spiced it up, like yogurt parfaits, mousse, and fresh honeycomb, to name a few. 

Südpfalz Therme

While you are in Bad Bergzabern, you must check out Südpfalz Therme! If you haven’t visited a therme before, it is the European term for a bathhouse, hot spring, and/or spa. Südpfalz Therme has pools, saunas, and other spa experiences, perfect for rejuvenating and relaxing after days of hiking!

Day 11: Bad Bergzabern to Schweigen-Rechtenbach

This is the last day of hiking the Palatinate Wine Route! It was one of my favorite hiking days with lots of different things to see from the other hikes. 

To begin, you walk to the edge of Bad Bergzabern, where it becomes wooded, and start climbing up switchbacks. For about two and a half miles, you will walk a forested path on a ridge, with occasional breaks in the trees for views to the village and vineyards below. 

Eventually, you will reach the fairytale town of Dörrenbach with half-timbered houses and vines hanging over the main street, tall green hills reaching towards the sky on either side. You will head up some stairs in town to continue on the Palatinate trail, which passes by Kolmer Chapel.  The trail meanders into the forest, where you might come upon chestnuts littering the ground. 

You will continue climbing for about half a mile until you reach the highest point of the hike. Along the way, you will see fairy tale settings with signs sharing the German fairy tales.  We came upon Hansel and Gretel first. It was a little eerie in the fog!

Shortly after this, you will reach the highest elevation on the hike, where Stäffelsberg Tower sits. Stäffelsberg Tower is reminiscent of Rapunzel, and after coming upon Hansel and Gretel, I thought this might be another (albeit much bigger) monument to that story. It is not officially related, though; instead, it is a monument to the town of Dörrenbach. 

If you haven’t had enough elevation, you can climb to the top of the tower, where you can see stunning views of the Palatinate Forest and Rhine Valley. 

After this, the trail continues through the forest. The types of trees shift, suddenly, to evergreens and then back to deciduous trees. It is strange. You will also pass a fairytale setting from Rapunzel (I knew it was coming!).

At this point in the trail, you will see Nazi bunkers from World War II on occasion, so keep an eye out! We saw a couple of military bunkers, a one-man bunker (or a covered hole in the ground, basically), and larger, moss-covered bunkers, all being reclaimed by earth. 

At about 6.5 miles, you will come across the Guttenberg Castle ruins. This was one of my favorite viewpoints. From here, you can see the vastness of the Palatinate Forest and how small you are in comparison. While most of the castle was destroyed in the Peasants’ War of 1525, a dramatic stone archway remains that leads into the courtyard, and uneven stone steps still lead to the upper levels. It was easy for me to picture a castle there in the past.

From there, it is mostly downhill through the forest for about three miles. Eventually, you will reach the outskirts of the city, where the vineyards come into view again. I started to get emotional at this point, thinking about the long journey, how far we had come, and how it was over so fast. 

There are a couple of monuments to the wine trail here, so it is clear you are coming to the end. There is an arch near the vineyards, a sort of replica of the famous arch at the end of this trail, but it is not the German Wine Gate that signifies the end (or beginning) of the trail. The actual arch is in town, so don’t miss it. We got confused about which one was real and missed going to the wine gate because we were in a hurry, so learn from our mistakes! The German Wine Gate was originally marked with a swastika as a nod to the trail’s Nazi origins, but it was removed after World War II. 

Once you pass under the wine gate in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, you have completed the Palatinate Wine Route!

We decided to walk to the French border, because we were so close already, and I felt like it would be cool. The border is boring, though – you walk along a highway to get there, and there is barely an indication that you are in a different country. 

Where to eat in Schweigen-Rechtenbach?

We had arranged beforehand to meet Claus, the man who was transferring our luggage from village to village, in Schweigen-Rechtenbach before he drove us to Heidelberg, where we would be staying for the next few nights. 

He suggested we have lunch with him and his wife at Hotel Restaurant Schweigener Hof before we departed for Heidelberg. Luke and I both ordered a glass of riesling, to celebrate the end of the hike. I ordered the saumagen, served with a rich sauce, a big bowl of warm sauerkraut, and bread. Luke ordered the Pfälzer wedding plate, which included ox tail, meatball, boiled potatoes, and grapes. Everything was tasty and pleasantly hearty after hiking all morning. 

Where to stay in Schweigen-Rechtenbach?

We didn’t stay in Schweigen-Rechtenbach, but you easily could add a night in this town if you wanted. Amelie No 3 Hotel & Apartments is a highly rated hotel, conveniently located.

Read More: An Epic 4-Day Backpacking Trip in Colorado

How to get from Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Frankfurt

Getting from Schweigen-Rechtenbach to Frankfurt involves first taking a bus back to Bad Bergzabern. From there, you can take a train or a bus (both involving one transfer) to Karlsruhe Central Station and then back to the Frankfurt (Main) Central Station in about an hour. If you want to stop off in Heidelberg, like we did, it is only about 35 minutes from Karlsruhe Central Station. 

As I mentioned above, we arranged with Claus, who moved our luggage from village to village, for him to drive us directly to Heidelberg, where we spent a few days. From Heidelberg, we took a train back to Frankfurt. This might be an option for you too, if you have someone transferring your luggage. Otherwise, you can hire a driver. 

Hiking South to North 

We hiked the Palatinate Wine Route north to south, but you could easily complete this trail south to north. If you go this direction, you will start by going through the German Wine Gate and end in Bockenheim. I recommend doing it north to south because most of the hiking apps like Komoot have it mapped out that way already. Also, you are walking to the border of France, basically, which is cool to say!

Hiking Safety on the Palatinate Wine Trail

Signage 

The trail is remarkably well-marked. In some areas, the markings are painted on the trees, like this: 

There are also newer signs that are nailed to trees: 

Both mean the same thing. Either way, the signs will be red and white. 

I recommend having an eSIM installed so you can use navigation and a paper trail map just in case. 

Water

There are not many places to get water along the trail. The towns you pass through are small, and I didn’t see many convenience stores or similar places to grab water on the way. Your best bet would be to stop at a restaurant or hiker’s hut, although the one hiker’s hut where I asked for water, they said they didn’t have any! They offered me wine instead, ha. 

There are also not many streams where you might be able to fill up, and even if there were, since many of the trails go through agricultural areas and vineyards, we worried about the potential for pesticide contamination. 

I recommend bringing a water bladder that holds a good amount of water, so you don’t need to worry about finding water. We each brought a 3L water bladder. Get yours here. Tap water is safe to drink in Germany, so we just filled them up at the hotel each morning. 

Wild Animals 

The Palatinate Forest is a part of the only cross-border UNESCO-designated biosphere reserve, the Palatinate Forest-North Vosges Biosphere Reserve, which crosses into Germany and France. This indicates that this area is protected for its biological diversity and ecological aspects. 

We didn’t see many animals on the Palatinate Wine Trail other than birds and squirrels; however, the Palatinate Forest is home to deer, wild boar, foxes, badgers, and more. It is even home to a couple of varieties of threatened wildcats, although you are unlikely to see them. 

Can you hike the Palatinate Wine Route solo? 

We hiked the Palatinate Wine Route as a couple, so it is hard to say if we would have felt safe alone. The Palatinate Wine Route was not highly trafficked when we did it in September. For the first few stages, we hardly saw anyone. Further along the trail as we moved south, we saw more people on the trails, but many of them seemed to be day hikers. We didn’t meet anyone else who was hiking the full Palatinate Wine Trail. Everyone we met seemed nice and friendly. 

This trail could be hiked solo, but it might be a bit lonely with the lack of other hikers doing the same journey. Of course, in some ways, that might make the trail safer, as long as you let someone know where you are, check in regularly, and have a way to contact them in an emergency. 

Make sure you install an eSIM so you have service on the trail. The emergency number in Europe is 112. 

Tips for Hiking the Palatinate Wine Route

Hikers’ Huts

One of the best parts of hiking the Palatinate Wine Route is stopping at the Hikers’ Huts, which are local restaurants along the trail that cater to hikers. They usually serve simple, traditional dishes, as well as wine and beer. Hikers’ huts make for a great place to rest, refuel, and use the bathroom. Plus, they are a unique aspect of German culture!

There are quite a few along the Palatinate Wine Route, but they aren’t usually open every day of the week. Most are open on weekends. I would plan your itinerary to pass as many of these as possible during your hike, which means maximizing weekends. 

Tips for Booking Hotels and Guesthouses Along the Wine Route

Finding Guesthouses and Pensions Along the Wine Route

Hotels are limited in some of the smaller towns along the Palatinate Wine Route. Many of the options are guesthouses, referred to as either gästehaus or pension in German, with only a few rooms run by a local family. This is a great way to meet local people and experience their hospitality. 

Guesthouses aren’t always listed on the major hotel sites, so the easiest way to find them is to go to Google Maps, find the town, search for gästehaus or pension, and then see what comes up. Also, look for the lodging symbol on Google Maps. Always check the Google reviews. Once you find a guesthouse that looks good, book through their website or send them an email to reserve. You will probably need to translate the website in your browser. 

Look for Hotels with Breakfast Included

Many of the towns that you will visit along the trail are small and may only have one or two restaurants that aren’t open for breakfast. I recommend booking a hotel that includes breakfast so you don’t have to worry about this. Most of them do, so it shouldn’t be hard. 

It is also a good idea to bring some snacks that could double as breakfast if needed, in case you want to get an earlier start. 

Look for Hotels with Luggage Storage

Your bags will be moving ahead of you, via luggage transfer, so make sure you book a hotel or guesthouse where there is someone around to collect your bags. Airbnbs or apartment rentals don’t work as well for this itinerary because they don’t usually offer luggage storage. 

Confirm the Check-in Procedure

Check the hours of the front desk so you know what time you need to arrive to check in. Make sure you leave early enough to reach the hotel before then, or confirm with the hotel that they will leave a way for you to get in. It is generally a good idea to let the hotel know approximately what time you will arrive each day.

Cash and ATMs

While you can use credit cards in most larger cities in Germany, you will need cash for traveling the Palatinate Wine Route. Small towns still rely on cash for most things, including restaurants. 

In Dernbach, even the hotel we booked didn’t accept cards for the cost of the room. We were running low on cash, but there was no ATM in Dernbach, so Luke had to take the bus to the next town with an ATM to make a withdrawal. That was not our best moment. 

Make sure you keep cash on you at all times and plan your ATM stops appropriately. Neuleinigen, Burrweiler, and Dernbach do not have ATMs. 

Use Komoot for Trail Information

I recommend downloading the Komoot app, which has detailed information about the Palatinate Wine Route and provides one free region when you sign up; otherwise, you can purchase any region for a one-time fee. There are lots of trail markers, but it is always good to have navigation just in case. Make sure you download the region to use offline before heading out on the trail. 

Taking Trains or Buses Between Villages

While the journey from Frankfurt to Bockenheim was not easy to navigate, we generally found using public transportation between the towns on the Palatinate Wine Route to be easy using Google Maps. 

Traveling south between the first few towns can be accomplished with trains, but once you get to Neustadt, the journey will be by bus. 

Train tickets can be purchased at the station using card or cash. 

Bus tickets can be purchased on board, using cash.

Helpful German Words for Hiking the Palatinate Wine Route

There are many stops along the Palatinate Wine Route. Knowing a couple of German phrases will help you get around and see everything you want to see!

Burg means castle and is often added as a suffix. Bad means spa. Both Bad Bergzabern and Bad Dürkheim are spa towns! 

Pfälzer or Pfalz refers to the Palatinate region. Pfälzer Weinwanderweg is the Palatinate wine trail, and Pfälzer Weinstraße is the Palatinate wine route.  

Wine Tasting in Germany and the Palatinate region

Since this is a wine route, you will hopefully be tasting wine along the way. There are plenty of opportunities for this; however, wine tastings work a little differently in Germany than in the US. 

Wine tasting in the Palatinate region is loosely structured, meaning you can taste as many wines as you like for free from the menu, but when you are done, they generally expect you to buy something. Of course, you will not be forced to buy anything if there is nothing that interests you. 

Wine Festivals Along the Palatinate Wine Route

The largest wine festival in the world is Wurstmarkt, held annually in Bad Dürkheim in September. We just missed this, unfortunately!

In October, the German Wine Harvest Festival is held in Neustadt an der Weinstraße, which includes the selection of the German Wine Queen. 

On the last Sunday in August, the wine route is closed to motorized traffic for eight hours in honor of the “Erlebnistag Deutsche Weinstraße”, or German Wine Route Experience Day. 

Reflections on Hiking Germany’s Palatinate Wine Route 

Hiking the Palatinate Wine Route was such a memorable experience. I loved arriving in a charming new town on my own two feet. The excitement of noticing things along the way, that I wouldn’t see if we were driving. Experiencing nature in a foreign country. Expelling all those calories along the way, so I didn’t feel guilty eating anything! It is such a different way to travel, and I can’t wait to do another village-to-village hike. 

Have you ever done a village-to-village hike? I want to hear about your favorites – maybe it will be my next one!

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